Aspects of Academic Librarianship

Julie Johnson

Julie.M.Johnson@usm.edu

LIS 500

10 May 2017
 As one academic librarian blogger writes, “Becoming an academic librarian is like

entering an amnesic whirlwind” (O’Neill, 2015). While the earned title of academic librarian can

be difficult to achieve the same goes for well-honed research skills. The research process is a big

part of an academic librarian’s role because of the scholarship occurring around them. Academic

librarians must be able to find research on all subjects which may be difficult if the librarian’s

background is Chemistry and they are faced with a research question about English literature.

These librarians may also find themselves in a classroom setting where they teach a research

methods class while maintaining their job of evaluating resources and reference desk hours.

Gibson writes, “It is a truism to say that librarians in all sectors of an academic library wear

many different hats and provide numerous services to patrons” (Gibson, 2007). The academic

librarian must also break-up some of the student anxiety about the library and research process as

well, since many students at universities are unaware of how the library and librarians can aid

them. With all the tasks and responsibilities that come with being an academic librarian, the job

is worthwhile and important.

One of the best practices and features of an academic library are the tools and services

they provide. While enrolled at a university a student may go to the library and check out the

latest technology to further their academic success. Students in a video production class can

check out recording cameras and laptops to complete their assignments and engineers can use, in

some cases, a 3D printer to make their design tangible. Most academic libraries offer technology

courses like photoshop, Excel, and video editing for their students to learn and progress their

tech skills. Behind these classes and equipment that are available to the students is an academic

librarian; therefore, these librarians must be skilled and able to teach others outside of the

reference desk. At universities, it is more likely you will see the librarians teaching classes or
holding meetings than behind the reference desk this is because of the many tasks required of

academic librarians. These librarians can morph from conference rooms to teaching atmospheres

to reference desks hours all in one day to better their community of academics. The best practice

of an academic librarian is being able to perform many tasks while promoting constant learning

in their library environment.

The Journal of Academic Librarianship is a journal that allows researchers to publish

their findings about aspects within their field. It is a journal that supports open access and all

articles are available online. Articles within this journal may examine technology issues, analysis

of library functions, and practices and trends. JAL also provides book reviews and special

publications that may be of interest to an academic librarian. Some titles from the journal include

“Research Data Management: Defining Roles, Prioritizing Services, and Enumerating

Challenges” and “Faculty Perspectives on Information Literacy as a Student Learning Outcome”.

Library Trends is another academic journal published by Johns Hopkins University Press. This

journal is centered around all types of libraries and is catered to educators as well. This journal

differs from the Journal of Academic Librarianship because each issue is centered around a

specific theme and problem in the library world. Although these issues have a universal theme to

discuss the journal as whole produces issues that talk about a wide variety of themes spanning

from school libraries to special topics. This journal comes out with 4 issues a year and is

available online an is supported through Project MUSE. Both journals discuss important issues

within the library scope and produce relevant research.

The Association of Research Libraries is a national association that take on problems and

host forums to discuss issues within research and academic libraries. The association began in

1932 so that librarians could discuss common problems they experience and in 1962, the
association established an office in Washington, D.C. with a board of directors. There are 123

libraries that make up this non-profit association. Not only are these libraries classified as

academic, but there are also some public and special libraries as well. Since their birth, the

association has produced “a rich history of accomplishments and contributions based on

collaborative relationships with a wide range of communities” (ARL, 2017). A part of these

accomplishments has been to usher in efforts that are focused on collections, copyright, open

access, and leadership as well as much more. To become a member of this association, a research

library must be evaluated and voted on to be inducted. However, a benefit of membership is

being able to attend the semi-annual meetings to discuss and voice challenges and innovative

projects within the library.

An example of a library association at the state level is the Alabama Library Association.

This association is also non-profit and is here to promote the well-being and professional

interests of librarians in Alabama. Although this is a library association membership is open to

all friends and supporters of the library. The course of their membership runs yearly from

January to December with an annual convention held in the state. In addition to regular

membership, there are also committees available. Some of these committee round tables discuss

youth services, school libraries, public libraries, and university libraries issues. Benefits of

membership are access to newsletters, employment opportunities, and a special contact to voice

opinions. While this association may not have many events other than the annual convention the

website is informative and keeps members engaged.

Academic librarians need support to perform their job and to progress into the future.

Academic journals and associations are just a small part of that support, but also play a big role.

Without the Journal of Academic Librarianship or Library Trends librarians would have no
forum to research and discuss the problems and practices of their field. As well as library

associations, if not for these spaces libraries and librarians may not have advanced to where the

place they are today. Librarians in all fields are the representation of life-long learning and

research and their efforts make information easy to attain for everyone.
 Works Cited
Alabama library association. (2011). www.allanet.org.
Alsop, Justine; Bordonaro, Karen; Gibson, James A. (Spring 2007) Multiple roles of academic
librarians. Electronic journal of academic and special librarianship.
Association of research libraries. www.arl.org.
Journal of academic librarianship. (2017). Elsevier. www.journals.elsevier.com/the-journal-of-
academic-librarianship
Library trends. (2017). Project MUSE. www.jhu.edu/journal/334.
O’Neill, Lindsay. (2015 February 20). How to become an academic librarian. www.acrlog.org.